Sunday, July 6, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has strengthened Africa-Europe aviation ties by launching four weekly Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights connecting Addis Ababa to Porto via Madrid, addressing a critical connectivity gap between sub-Saharan Africa and northern Portugal. This new route expands the airline’s European footprint beyond major capitals and offers a vital direct link for passengers and cargo between Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. By strategically selecting Porto—Portugal’s second-largest export hub—and including a technical stop in Madrid, the airline supports increased trade, diaspora travel, and tourism while decentralizing access to Africa from Europe’s secondary cities.

Ethiopian Airlines, the national flag carrier of Ethiopia and one of Africa’s largest and most globally connected airlines, has expanded its footprint in Europe by launching a new route between Addis Ababa and Porto, Portugal. With this latest development, the airline strengthens its strategic ambition to connect Africa with underserved European regions, while simultaneously enhancing trade, tourism, and diaspora travel links.

The new route, which officially commenced service in July 2025, operates four times a week using the airline’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The flights run westbound via a technical stop in Madrid, Spain, before continuing onward to Porto. This move makes Porto the second Portuguese city served by Ethiopian Airlines, complementing its long-established service to Lisbon.

This addition to the network is particularly significant as it marks Ethiopian Airlines’ first venture into northern Portugal. Porto, the country’s second-busiest airport and a key economic hub, now gains direct air access to sub-Saharan Africa through Ethiopian’s robust Addis Ababa hub.

For years, travelers in northern Portugal had limited direct options to reach Africa, often having to connect through Lisbon or other major European airports. With Ethiopian’s Porto route, passengers now enjoy a much more direct and convenient alternative, especially those with business or personal ties to African nations such as Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau.

The catchment area for Porto also includes parts of northwestern Spain, making this service beneficial for travelers in Galicia and surrounding regions. This cross-border appeal adds more value to the route, tapping into a wider Portuguese-speaking and African-diaspora customer base.

The new route operates on a four-times-weekly schedule — every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The outbound flight, ET712, departs Addis Ababa Bole International Airport at 01:35 am local time and arrives in Madrid at 07:55 am. After a short technical stop of about 1 hour and 15 minutes, the aircraft departs Madrid at 09:10 am and reaches Porto at 10:00 am local time.

The return leg, ET713, is a non-stop service from Porto to Addis Ababa, departing at 21:10 pm and arriving in the Ethiopian capital at 06:00 am the following day. The route is served by Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are known for their fuel efficiency, reduced cabin noise, and advanced passenger comfort.

Ethiopian Airlines is not just focusing on passengers with this launch. The route has strong commercial value, especially from a cargo perspective. Northern Portugal is home to key industries including textiles, perishables, and industrial components, all of which benefit from efficient air freight links.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft operated on this route have significant belly cargo capacity — capable of carrying between 28 to 36 LD3 containers or 9 to 11 standard pallets per flight. This cargo capability aligns with the region’s export-oriented economy and enhances Ethiopia’s trade links with Europe.

Porto itself houses Portugal’s second-largest export economy and operates one of the busiest ports in the Iberian Peninsula. Ethiopian Airlines can leverage this growing freight demand to potentially introduce dedicated cargo services in the future, further integrating the region into its expanding cargo network.

Ethiopian Airlines has long pursued a strategy of diversifying its European network beyond the typical capital cities and primary hubs. Recent additions include services to Geneva, Manchester, and now Porto — all cities with strong diaspora connections, growing economic potential, and relatively underserved by direct flights to Africa.

By entering secondary markets, the airline not only opens up new travel corridors but also supports economic decentralization, empowering local travelers and businesses. These routes often begin with limited frequencies, allowing the airline to assess performance, adjust based on demand, and expand if viable.

In the case of Porto, the airline’s decision reflects deep market research, focusing on unmet demand, linguistic and cultural ties, and long-term trade potential. This fits well with Ethiopian Airlines’ vision of transforming Addis Ababa into a premier African aviation hub, connecting the continent to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.

Portugal has a notable African diaspora, particularly from Lusophone nations such as Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau. Many of these communities reside in both Lisbon and Porto. With the launch of direct flights from Porto, Ethiopian Airlines strengthens ties with this diaspora, providing greater ease of travel for visiting family, conducting business, or returning home for holidays.

Additionally, the Porto service is well-positioned to serve passengers traveling from West Africa to Europe. Ethiopian’s hub in Addis Ababa offers excellent onward connections to cities like Accra, Abidjan, Lagos, and Dakar. The Porto route, therefore, acts as a valuable transit corridor for both eastbound and westbound travelers seeking seamless connectivity.

Ethiopian Airlines has reinforced Africa-Europe aviation links by launching four weekly Dreamliner flights from Addis Ababa to Porto via Madrid, bridging a crucial gap in connectivity and boosting trade, tourism, and diaspora travel between the regions.

Whether the Porto route will scale beyond four weekly flights depends on how well it performs in the coming months. Ethiopian Airlines will likely monitor passenger loads, cargo volume, and seasonal trends to determine its long-term commercial viability.

Still, this launch reflects the airline’s confidence in Europe-Africa connectivity and its commitment to opening up new regions through efficient, reliable service. As one of the few African carriers with a truly global reach, Ethiopian Airlines continues to set a high standard in network expansion, passenger service, and aviation excellence.

The launch of Ethiopian Airlines’ new Porto route marks another milestone in its mission to bridge Africa with the world. By connecting northern Portugal to Addis Ababa and beyond, the airline enhances convenience, boosts regional trade, and brings Africa closer to the Iberian Peninsula. With a strong mix of passenger and cargo potential, the Porto route has all the elements needed for long-term success.

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